# Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN 2026: ExpressVPN is Faster but PIA is Cheaper - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/private-internet-access-vs-expressvpn/ - Published: 2024-02-09 - Author: Bruce Schneier - Categories: [Security & Privacy](https://33rdsquare.com/category/security-privacy/) --- ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) are two of the biggest names in the VPN industry going into 2024. Both are excellent services, but there are some key differences that will likely make ExpressVPN the better choice for most users who can afford it. In terms of pricing, PIA has a clear advantage, with significantly lower rates – especially if you sign up for a 1 or 2 year plan. Its 2-year plan works out to just $2.19/month, while ExpressVPN‘s cheapest plan is $6.67/month (15 months). However, it could be argued that ExpressVPN justifies its higher prices with premium features and performance. When we look at server coverage, both VPNs impress with extensive networks. PIA has servers in 84 countries plus physical servers in every US state, which is great for American users. ExpressVPN has a presence in over 105 countries worldwide. So while both have great reach, ExpressVPN likely has more servers in more places overall. Privacy and security are top notch with either option. Both ExpressVPN and PIA have strict no-logs policies that have been verified by independent security audits – so you can trust that they are not retaining any data on your online activities. One difference is that ExpressVPN benefits from being based in the privacy haven of the British Virgin Islands, while PIA is headquartered in the US and therefore subject to Five Eyes, Nine Eyes and 14 Eyes agreements. The two VPNs use similarly powerful encryption, but ExpressVPN has an edge thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol which is designed to offer strong security as well as great speeds. Both also support highly secure protocol options like OpenVPN and WireGuard. Streaming performance and speeds appear to be better with ExpressVPN overall, based on my team‘s latest round of testing on servers in North America, Europe and Asia. Both are very capable at unblocking geo-restricted content on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and more. But ExpressVPN tended to deliver videos with less buffering and higher resolution thanks to its fast and consistent connection speeds. It also offers a Smart DNS feature called MediaStreamer, letting you watch abroad on devices like game consoles and Smart TVs that don‘t normally work with VPNs. ExpressVPN and PIA both provide user-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux and more. I give a slight edge to ExpressVPN here, as its apps are a bit more polished and intuitive. It also offers handy browser extensions which PIA lacks. But you‘ll have no trouble quickly getting set up and connected with either service. If you need customer support, you‘re in good hands with these two VPN giants. Both provide 24/7 live chat support with quick response times in my experience. They also have huge libraries of setup guides and troubleshooting articles. I‘ve found the ExpressVPN website makes it a bit easier to instantly pull up the live chat, while with PIA you have to do a bit more digging. Some additional features to consider: ExpressVPN offers integrated speed testing so you can verify you‘re using the fastest server location, as well as a password manager called Keys. PIA provides an ad and malware blocker called PIA MACE. It also supports anonymous payment via cryptocurrencies and store gift cards, which is great for maximizing your privacy. Overall, if you want the best combination of speed, streaming, security and ease of use, ExpressVPN is the way to go. Yes, you‘ll pay more than with PIA, but you get what you pay for in terms of performance and user experience. If your budget is tight, PIA is a great affordable alternative that will cover your key privacy and unblocking needs without breaking the bank. --- Source: [Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN 2026: ExpressVPN is Faster but PIA is Cheaper](https://33rdsquare.com/private-internet-access-vs-expressvpn/)